Many people have heard of ADHD but may not really know what it is. Scientists themselves have long struggled to understand it. Modern theories on this disorder are relatively new, and many old misconceptions persist today. Many adolescences still go undiagnosed because of these misconceptions.

However, paying attention to possible symptoms can enable more effective care and management. So, what are symptoms of ADHD in a teenager?
What do I look for?

What is ADHD?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by three primary symptoms:

• Inattention: difficulty with maintaining attention
• Impulsivity: acting hastily or rashly, without thinking
• Hyperactivity: sustained periods of restlessness and overactivity

Displaying these behaviors does not necessarily mean ADHD is to blame; many people can be susceptible to a wandering mind or an excess of energy, and other mental disorders can have similar symptoms. What makes ADHD is a frequent pattern of these behaviors to a degree where it interferes negatively with one’s life.

The underlying causes of ADHD are not fully understood yet, but current research suggests ADHD is a product of both genes and environmental risk factors during development—such as smoking or drinking during pregnancy, brain injuries or environmental toxins. Conversely, popular assumptions about ADHD being the result of poor parenting or overeating sugar remain unsupported by studies.

What Does ADHD in Teens Look Like?

ADHD can manifest differently from one diagnosis to the next, with certain symptoms being predominant over others. Based on this, three broad subcategories of ADHD are known: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive/impulsive, and combined. The presentation of ADHD also varies with age, gender, and other circumstances. However, there are common behaviors shown in those with ADHD, including:

• Daydreaming or being lost in thought frequently
• Making mistakes due to either neglecting details or acting thoughtlessly
• Fidgeting, pacing and struggling to sit still
• Excessive talking or intruding on conversations
• Averse response to tasks that require focused mental effort, like schoolwork.

These symptoms often manifest differently in teenage patients and can include difficulties with planning or organizing, chronic restlessness or impulsiveness, poor stress management or frustration tolerance, inability to multitask and being prone to fixation.

Since these don’t quite fit most people’s mental image of ADHD, and because adults with ADHD often also develop other disorders like anxiety or depression, there is a popular belief that children can “grow out of” ADHD.

Early Signs of ADHD and Diagnosis

Recognizing ADHD symptoms early in life makes it easier to formulate a treatment. There is no single, well-defined method of diagnosing ADHD, but perceptive parents and assessment from a mental health professional or pediatrician can make it possible.

Identifying patterns of inattentive, hyperactive and impulsive behavior is a major part of this: the DSM-5 mandates that at least six (or five for patients 17 or older) symptoms must be identified, determined to be present for at least six months and demonstrated as detrimental or inappropriate.

The health professional also needs to evaluate the patient to determine that there isn’t another condition that better explains the symptoms. Input from parents, teachers, and others close to the patient is valuable to both identifying symptoms and eliminating other possibilities, showing behaviors as they manifest in daily life instead of just in the office.

Though ADHD is not curable in a traditional sense, its manifestations can be managed through therapy, medication, and developing strategies to compensate for difficulties or channel aptitudes. Obtaining a diagnosis as early as possible makes these treatments more effective if you suspect that your child may have ADHD, contact and visit a pediatrician or mental health professional to start moving towards a better future for your child.

Related Article: Knowing the Difference Between Normal and Troubled Teen Behavior
 

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You have probably heard of bipolar disorder, but the stigma and misinformation surrounding it could mean that you aren’t quite sure what it is. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that may present as early as childhood but often presents and is diagnosed in the late teens or early adult years. Although it affects both boys and girls, bipolar disorder in teenage boys is more common.

Understanding Bipolar Disorder

Although people joke about “feeling bipolar,” the medical definition is quite complicated. The long-lasting condition causes a person’s mood and energy to change drastically.

These changes, which are commonly known as mania and depression, can last for days, weeks, or even months, although it is important to note that some people only experience the mania. There are also usually periods where people feel “normal” or “even” between mania and depression.

Causes of Bipolar

People of all ages, all genders, and from all walks of life can develop bipolar disorder and, once diagnosed, the condition is usually a lifelong one. Doctors don’t know exactly what causes the disorder, but research has shown that several factors may contribute to someone developing manic depression.

Sometimes, the disorder appears to run in the family, although this doesn’t mean that a child will develop it just because a parent has it. A much more common factor is the structure of the brain. Researchers show differences in the brains of people who have bipolar disorder. Those differences allow them to predict if a person may develop the disorder and learn how to treat it more effectively.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder in Teens

Symptoms of bipolar disorder vary depending on whether the patient is feeling mania or depression. Additionally, it is important to note that not every person will show every symptom, and some may not show any at all (or the symptoms may be mistaken for their average personality traits). If the patient is feeling manic, he may:

• Get angry more easily
• Have insomnia or not feel tired at all
• Talk faster than usual
• Take more risks or have more impulsive behavior
• Seem to be much happier or sillier than normal
• Be unable to focus
• Engage in sexual behavior more often
• Feel more self-important

On the other hand, someone who is feeling depressed will have many different symptoms:

• Feel sadder than usual
• Have more headaches or stomach aches
• Feel worthless or have lower self-esteem
• Eat more or less than usual
• Lose interest in favorite activities
• Cry more easily
• Isolate from friends and family
• Have little energy and sleep more often
• Feel suicidal

In fact, it is important to know that teenagers with bipolar disorder are more likely to attempt or commit suicide. Therapy and regular medication are extremely important for people with the disorder.

Diagnosing and Treating Bipolar in Teens

The process of diagnosing bipolar disorder in teenage boys can take some time and may be difficult. Blood tests and brain scans cannot confirm the disorder, so diagnosis requires discussions about medical history, including mood changes and sleeping patterns. As a parent, you may be asked to answer the same types of questions about your teenager’s habits and behaviors. In addition, diagnosis often requires a period of monitoring by a psychiatrist or psychologist that can determine the difference between average teenage moodiness and bipolar disorder.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for bipolar disorder. Fortunately, symptoms can be managed. Doctors and psychiatrists often use a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and therapy to help teenagers manage the disorder and live life more easily. In addition to antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotic drugs are typical parts of treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, personal therapy, and family therapy are also essential components of most treatment plans.

Being diagnosed with bipolar disorder does not need to feel like the end of the world. If you or your child shows symptoms of the disorder, a diagnosis and treatment plan can help you live a thriving and successful life, often with few symptoms. Talk to your doctor for more information.

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If you’re parenting a teenager, you may feel that there’s no such thing as normal behavior. Mood swings, changes in attitude, and dramatic reactions to minor events can leave you feeling as if you don’t know your child anymore. Rest assured that most of this will pass with time, and most teenagers navigate the changes in their bodies and minds relatively unscathed. However, adolescents today do face some significant challenges, and it is important for parents to know the difference between normal teen behavior and maladaptive development in the teen years.

The ability to recognize the signs of difficulties such as substance abuse and mental health problems can help parents manage these unique challenges. When you know the symptoms of a serious problem, you can get help for your child to recover and overcome the challenges. Effective treatments are available to help your child find a way successfully to adulthood.

Substance Use and Abuse While no one condones the use of alcohol, tobacco, and/or drugs by teenagers, the reality is that most adolescents will try at least one of these things at some point. The best way to prevent these behaviors is to keep an open line of communication with your children on these topics. Difficult as they may be, these conversations should start long before your child reaches the teenage years. Talk about the health consequences of smoking, drinking alcohol in excess, and other risky actions.

As your teen gets older and starts spending more time with friends and out of your sight, discuss peer pressure. Make a plan for how your children can contact you discreetly to pick them up if they find themselves in a situation where they are not comfortable. Parents should watch for these signs that a child is using alcohol, tobacco, or drugs regularly and habitually.

• A sudden drop in grades and loss of interest in school

• Abrupt changes in behavior at home that go beyond typical teenage mood swings

• Drug paraphernalia or empty bottles or cans in the youth’s room or car

• Missing pills from prescription drug containers

• Keeping secrets about where he or she is going and who else will be there

If you observe any of these in your teenager, take action right away. Consult an expert in the field of a teenage addiction to determine the best course of action. Also, inform your child’s pediatrician since mental health has a direct impact on physical health. Resist the temptation to see this behavior as a failure on your part as a parent. Stay available to your child and keep talking. Though they may ignore you or resist your efforts, don’t give up. With professional help, you can get through this together.

Mental Health Diagnoses

According to the Teen Mental Health Institute, estimates indicate that as many as 20% of young people are living with some form of mental illness. Anxiety disorders, depression, and eating disorders are some of the most common, along with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Part of the difficulty for parents is that the early symptoms of mental illness can closely mimic typical teen behavior. The United States Department of Health and Human Services recommends taking action if you observe any of the following behaviors in your adolescent.

• Talk of suicide or suicidal ideation
• Self-harming behaviors such as cutting or burning
• Dieting or exercising obsessively or compulsively
• Hurting animals or other people or destroying property
• A lack of anger management skills
• Isolation and loss of interest in being with friends

The best course of treatment for a child with a mental illness starts with an accurate diagnosis by a trained professional. Every child is different, and possibilities for treatment range from medication and counselor to inpatient residential treatment. Educating yourself on your child’s diagnosis can help you gain an understanding of what he or she is experiencing. These are some of the more common disorders you may encounter.

Bipolar Disorder

It’s important for parents to realize that mood swings are a normal part of adolescence. However, in young people with bipolar disorder, these behaviors go far beyond what is observed in their peers. Bipolar disorder is an illness within the brain that results in extreme mood swings. Also known as manic-depressive illness or manic depression, this condition causes the person to experience “high” periods of super energy and activity (manic episodes) followed by very “low” or depressed periods (depressive episodes).

Every aspect of the child’s life can be affected, including sleep and the ability to think clearly. Friendships and relationships with family can be difficult to maintain for a child with bipolar disorder. Peers may not know how to deal with extreme swings. Manic episodes can lead to risky behaviors, while depressive episodes can lead to suicide attempts. While the diagnosis is frightening, with the right professional help, young people with bipolar disorder can learn to manage their symptoms successfully.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD) is another common mental health condition among children and teenagers. Experts believe that as much as 10% of youth are impacted by ADHD. The disorder affects boys more often than girls and the cause is unknown though theories abound. It is commonly characterized by an inability to sit still, pay attention, and focus.

While it is usually diagnosed in childhood, the symptoms of ADHD may continue on into adolescence and adulthood. The difficulties in focusing and paying attention can lead to low school performance, disciplinary issues, and substance abuse. Just as with bipolar disorder, teenagers can experience some level of these issues as part of normal adolescent development. However, if they begin to interfere with the teen’s ability to function at daily activities, they may require clinical intervention.

Self-Harm

Self-harming is also referred to as Non-Suicidal Self-Injury or NSSI. A child or teen who injures himself is not necessarily trying to commit suicide. Self-harm is usually an unhealthy coping mechanism that evolves as a response to mental or emotional trauma. For a self-harming youth, this is a way to control feelings or separate from painful circumstances.

Most research links self-harm to brain chemicals that bring relief from emotional pain for a short time. It may reduce anxiety, loneliness, and anger, to name just a few. The most common form of self-injury is cutting the skin, but burning, hair-pulling, and piercing the body are also observed. Self-harming is always cause for seeking professional help.

Adolescence is a time of rapid changes in the body and the brain. Such a transition doesn’t happen without disruption in mood, personality, and habits. Parents should try not to take these changes personally but to see them as necessary for the young person to establish themselves as an individual. However, these chaotic years also create an opportunity for more serious problems to masquerade as typical teenage behavior. Educating yourself on the warning signs that a troubled teen may exhibit can help you identify a problem if it develops. Contact Lakeside Academy to learn more about how we can help.